RIP Gerald Ferguson - Obit Roundup

It was some sad news that came down the pipe last week--iconic Halifax painter and NSCAD art instructor Gerald Ferguson passed on. I never took a class with Ferguson in my time at NSCAD, but I did see him around and agree he had a strange curmudgeonly charm, as well as a huge influence over developing painters. He was no angel, and was famously brutish with students who didn't meet his favour, but he was one of those guys for which begrudging respect was most definitely held. Here's a roundup of some of the related coverage and obituaries:

CBC - Conceptual artist Gerald Ferguson dies - some of the comments on this form a really nice tribute.

Halifax Chronicle-Herald - Conceptual pioneer loved Nova Scotia - this provides some more details about Ferguson's everyday life and note his wife passed on in 2008, as well as the fact that he is survived by two children in the New York area.

The Coast - Gerald Ferguson's legacy - Some nice quotes here from NSCAD profs

Canadianart.ca - Gerald Ferguson: 1937-2009 - a reminder of some of Ferguson's breakthrough artworks, and his Diet Coke habit!

NSCAD - President's statement - Pretty much sums up the sentiment of sadness that I'm sure many are experiencing.

My sympathies to the family.

Image of Ferguson from Canadianart.ca